This morning while reading a section on humility in The Imitation of Christ, an interesting question came to mind: 

If Jesus was physically here on earth today, would He be on Facebook?

If so, would a typical post look like this?

Jesus Christ

Great day sharing a lunch with 5,000 people at Bethsaida.

Would the Son of God have His phone in hand taking a selfie while walking across the water—to later post it on social media?

Somehow I have a hard time picturing Jesus doing either of these things.

Why?

Because the life of Christ supremely embodied humility. His words and actions pointed exclusively to glorifying God, not Himself.

In the aforementioned book, Thomas à Kempis says the more knowledge and experience we gain, the more severely we will be judged—unless we live a holy life. Why would we want to lift ourselves above another person, when we may find they know more than we do? 

“To know and learn anything that is helpful,” à Kempis says, “be content to be unknown and not respected.” 

This mirrors the message of Philippians 2:5-11:

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

So would Jesus be on Facebook?

He certainly was engaged in the culture and practices of the day to reach people, so I wouldn’t rule it out. Social media affords us a tool like never before to connect with people across the world. Perhaps He would use it to help the poor, or occasionally post a photo to share with His mother and siblings.

But I think He would post things judiciously, seeking solely to glorify God and bring awareness to His purposes.

Jesus would no doubt have millions of friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter, yet it’s hard to picture Him spending hours a day sharing, reading, commenting, and tweeting. I somehow think He’d be too busy sharing His life with people one on one in real time.

Jesus wasn’t interested in communicating with thousands, or growing a personal fan base. He also wasn’t one for small talk. Rather, His life focused on intimate personal relationships, and ministering to individuals. He allowed God to work through Him, to receive the glory in all things.

As Christians, shouldn’t we do the same?

Would Jesus be on Facebook?

What do you think?

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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Last summer I had the joy of sitting in a class at the Montrose Christian Writers Conference taught by James Watkins.

I immediately sensed him as a man who deeply loves the Lord and desires to live for Him.

This month I’ve been enjoying a new book compiled and edited by Watkins called The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today’s Language by Thomas à Kempis. For five hundred years à Kempis’ devotional classic has brought wisdom and comfort to millions of readers in over fifty languages—second only to the Bible in sales!

Watkins’ new paraphrased version has “modern and inclusive language that remains faithful to the original message,” making it easier to read and contemplate à Kempis’ profound insights on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The book is set up in a clear readable format arranged by topic. True to the original, at times it is written from the perspective of the Disciple and at other times as if Christ was speaking directly to us.

The meditations of à Kempis invite deep contemplative thinking and insight. Perhaps that’s why this book has been changing lives for centuries. I’m finding my love for the Lord deepening in the process of reading just a few pages each day.

Here’s a sampling from p. 62-63, On Wisdom In Action:

The Disciple

“You must not trust every word of others or feelings within yourselves, but cautiously and patiently ask if the matter is godly. Unhappily, we are so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others, rather than their good. But Christ-like people do not pay attention to every bit of news, because they know that in human weakness they are prone to evil and untruthful words.

This is great wisdom for us: do not to be hasty in our actions or stubborn in our own opinions. A part of this wisdom also is not to believe every word we hear, nor to tell others all that we hear, nor even though we believe it. Take advice from a person who is wise and has a good conscience. Let us seek to learn from one wiser than ourselves rather than follow our own imaginations. A good life makes us wise toward God and gives us experience in many things. The more humble we are and the more obedient we are toward God, the wiser we will be in all things, and the more our souls will be at peace.”

I believe this book can help any serious Christ follower appreciate our Lord, grow closer to Him, and take greater joy in His presence.

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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